HARTFORD, Conn. — Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont mentioned Friday he’s planning to satisfy with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman about the potential for transferring the Arizona Coyotes to Hartford.
Lamont instructed reporters throughout a information availability that he has reached out to the NHL and hopes the assembly can happen someday subsequent week.
“This is a great hockey state and a great hockey town,” Lamont mentioned. “It’s evidenced by the passion we have for the Whalers going back years – still one of the best selling jerseys. I think we can guarantee them a very strong market right here, and a government that’s ready to come and be their partner.”
Talk of a relocation for the Coyotes has taken on steam since voters in Tempe, Arizona this week rejected referendum for an $2.3 billion leisure district that might permit the franchise to construct a brand new area there.
Connecticut has not had an NHL staff because the Hartford Whalers left for North Carolina in 1997. The state has only one top-tier skilled sports franchise, the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun, which performs on the Mohegan Sun Arena, a ten,000-seat facility that’s not constructed for hockey.
The chance of a transfer to Connecticut is taken into account an extended shot. Hartford’s 48-year-old XL Center, the place the Whalers as soon as performed, is in want of a significant renovation. It’s operator, the Capital Region Development Authority, is anticipated to start taking bids quickly on repairs that it has estimated will price no less than $107 million.
PHOTOS: Connecticut governor seeking to deliver NHL’s Coyotes to Hartford
A variety of different cities have already been named as potential touchdown spots for the Coyotes ought to the franchise select to maneuver. Those embrace Atlanta, Portland, Oregon, Kansas City, Houston, Milwaukee, Salt Lake City, Quebec City and Hamilton, Ontario.
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